Abstract: A method of detecting an engine malfunction such as a misfire includes determining engine speed values at each of a plurality of measurement angular positions, heterodyning the engine speed values with sine and cosine functions indexed in the angular domain, passing the heterodyned results through a low pass filter, and computing the resulting magnitude from the resulting two vectors. An apparatus for detecting an engine malfunction, such as a misfire, includes an engine speed analyzer, a multiplier, and a low pass filter.

Abstract: A method, a control unit, and a computer program for detecting a defective intake-manifold pressure sensor and/or a defective ambient-pressure sensor in an internal combustion engine having a variable valve timing are provided. The desired detection is carried out exclusively on the basis of a direct evaluation of the pressure upstream from the throttle valve and the pressure in the intake manifold. This method eliminates the need for deriving load signals from these pressures, at least for the determination as to whether at least one of the pressure sensors is defective.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine diagnostic sensor system comprises a fuel rail for the engine wherein the fuel rail has a high pressure inlet end, a plurality of injector ports, and a terminating end and wherein a piezoelectric sensor is mounted on the terminating end. The piezoelectric sensor is in open communication with contents in the fuel rail. In addition, the internal combustion engine diagnostic sensor system comprises a fuel rail for the engine wherein the fliel rail has a high pressure inlet end, a plurality of injector ports and a terminating end. There is also a connector disposed at the high pressure inlet end of the fuel rail wherein the connector has a near end that is openly connected to the fuel rail, and a distal end that has mounted thereon, a valve. There is surmounted on the valve, a piezoelectric sensor, wherein the piezoelectric sensor is in open communication with the contents of the fuel rail through the valve.

Abstract: A method of sampling fluid from a rock formation penetrated by a borehole includes positioning a downhole tool having a flow line in the borehole, establishing an inlet port through which fluid passes from a first point in the formation into the flow line, establishing an outlet port through which fluid passes from the flow line into a second point in the formation, and passing fluid between the formation and the flow line through the inlet and outlet ports.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive paint is applied to the surface of a measurement object main body of a wind tunnel and is irradiated with an excitation light from a luminescent sheet and excited to generate phosphorescence so that an intensity of the phosphorescence that corresponds to the pressure on the surface of the measurement object main body can be measured to determine a pressure distribution on the surface. The luminescent sheet is disposed within the measurement object main body made of a light transmitting material. The entirety of the pressure sensitive paint can be uniformly irradiated with the excitation light without applying the excitation light from a plurality of light sources disposed outside the measurement object main body, thereby enhancing the accuracy with which the pressure distribution is measured. The flexible luminescent sheet conforms to the shape of the three-dimensional curved surface of the measurement object main body.

Abstract: A flow rate sensor includes a main conduit, a sensor tube and a bypass tube connecting an upstream portion of the main conduit to a downstream portion of the main conduit such that flow through the main conduit is divided through the sensor tube and the bypass tube, and at least one heater element for heating the sensor tube. A first flow restrictor of porous media is positioned between the upstream portion of the main conduit and the sensor tube, and a second flow restrictor of porous media is positioned between the upstream portion of the main conduit and the bypass tube. The flow restrictors provide the flow rate sensor with a fixed bypass ratio so that the sensor can operate independently of the type of gas being measured.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus for use in a mass flow rate sensor for measuring a fluid flow rate includes a main conduit for containing a fluid flow, and a sensor passageway for tapping a portion of the fluid flow from the main conduit at a first location, and returning the portion of the fluid flow to the conduit at a second location. At least one bypass passageway, which may be provided in the form of a tube, is positioned in the main conduit between the first and second locations, and the bypass passageway is provided with non-negligible entrance effects that are substantially equal to entrance effects of the sensor passageway, so that a bypass ratio of the apparatus remains constant. A mass flow rate sensor of the present disclosure accurately measures any type of gas but only requires calibration in only one reference gas.

Abstract: An angular rate sensing device with temperature compensation and vibration compensation is provided. The device includes a base; a vibrator having multiple proof masses, arranged in the base; a plurality of flexible supporting members connected to the vibrator and supporting the vibrator to be suspended in the base; and a plurality of planar electrodes arranged relative to the proof masses, wherein each of the planar electrodes is connected to two signal lines with phase difference of 180 degree. The vibration error is compensated by way of connecting the signal lines, whose phase difference is of 0 degree, of the planar electrodes, whose position difference is of 180 degree; wherein the thermal expansion error is compensated by way of connecting the signal lines, whose phase difference is of 180 degree, of the planar electrodes, whose position difference is of 90 degree.

Abstract: In a method for electronic tuning of the frequency of the read oscillation to the frequency of the stimulation oscillation in a Coriolis gyro the resonator of the Coriolis gyro has a disturbance force applied to it such that the stimulation oscillation remains essentially uninfluenced. The read oscillation is changed so that a read signal that represents the read oscillation contains a corresponding disturbance component. The disturbance force is defined as the force caused by the signal noise in the read signal. The frequency of the read oscillation is controlled so that the strength of the disturbance component contained in the read signal is a minimum.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor includes a housing member, a spring member attached to the housing member, the spring member having freedom in at least one direction of acceleration to be detected, a weight and magnetic field generation member fixed to the spring member, and at least one magnetic field detection sensor attached to the housing member to face the weight and magnetic field generation member. The at least one magnetic field detection sensor is provided with at least one multi-layered MR element including a magnetization fixed layer and a magnetization free layer. A direction of magnetic field applied to the at least one multi-layered MR element from the weight and magnetic field generation member is perpendicular to a lamination plane of the at least one multi-layered MR element when no acceleration is applied.

Abstract: In one aspect, a microelectromechanical device and method of producing the device includes an accelerometer with a thinned flexure structure. In another embodiment, the device and method of producing the device includes an accelerometer and a pressure sensor integrated on a single chip.

Abstract: An acoustical mechanical test method prescribes compressing brittle balls in spherical conforming opposing platens producing equatorial bulging, tensile stresses, and resulting in crack or flaw growth with emissions of acoustical sounds for direct identification of brittle balls having a flaw exceeding a maximum allowable size, such as flaws in silicon-nitride balls used in hybrid bearings as well as conventional steel ball bearings.

Abstract: A method for testing tubing having the following steps: plastically deforming the tubing with a tubing handling system, the tubing handling system having a reel, a gooseneck and an injector; sensing with at least one sensor acoustic emissions emitted by the tubing during the deforming; and processing acoustic emission signals sensed from the tubing during the deforming. A system for testing a coiled tubing, the system having: a tubing handling system, the tubing handling system having a reel, a gooseneck and an injector; at least one acoustic emission sensor mounted on the tubing handling system and in direct contact with the tubing; and an acoustic emission signal processor in signal transmission communication with the at least one acoustic emission sensor.

Abstract: A method of determining the presence and location of leaks in a pipeline (2) comprising inserting a leak location device capable of detecting and recording the occurrence of noise into the flow of fluid (1) within the pipeline (2); allowing the leak location device to travel through the pipeline (2) with the fluid flow; causing the leak location device to detect and record noise in the fluid; and causing the leak location device to record the time at which noise is detected. Generally the leak location device is retrieved from the pipeline (2) downstream to its insertion point.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for determining the velocity of an ultrasound pulse in drilling fluids in downhole environments. A method for determining a velocity of ultrasound propagation in a drilling fluid in a downhole environment includes emitting an ultrasound pulse into the drilling fluid in a borehole using a first ultrasound transducer (37); detecting the ultrasound pulse after the ultrasound pulse has traveled a distance (d); determining a travel time (t) required for the ultrasound pulse to travel the distance (d); and determining the velocity of ultrasound propagation from the known distance (d) and the travel time (t).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining a dielectric function in an object. The apparatus comprises one transmit antenna for transmitting microwave radiation through said object, and one receive antenna for receiving the transmitted microwave radiation, one ultrasound transmitter for emitting ultrasound radiation through said object to generate a density variation in the object, means to analyse the microwave radiation transmitted through the density variation to determine the acousto-electric interaction ? in the object, and means to calculate the dielectric function in the object from the acousto-electric interaction. The invention also relates to a method for determining the dielectric function in an object.

Abstract: Novel application of piezotransducers to generate elastic waves with shear and longitudinal wave components. A piezotransducer rosette is attached (embedded or surface-bonded) to the monitored structure. This rosette consists of at least three piezotransducers. The entire system may consist of many rosettes. Piezotransducers 3, 4 and 5 are activated using an adequate electric signal, for example, a frequency sweep. Activated piezoelements undergo deformations that are transmitted to the structure 1, generating elastic waves that may be used to interrogate the structure. Generated waves characteristics depend on the characteristics of the signals fed to each of the rosette elements.

Abstract: Ultrasound for use in chemical reactions is generated by an electromagnet formed from an ultrasound transducer whose central feature is a loop of magnetostrictive material wound with coils oriented to produce an oscillating magnetostrictive force when an oscillating voltage is applied. The oscillations in the transducer loop are transmitted to an ultrasonic horn that is immersed in a reaction medium where the ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted directly to the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A corrosion fuse is a device connected with a compressed air tank in order to provide a predictive indication of corrosive activity occurring within the compressed air tank. The corrosion fuse includes a corrosion detector established as a thin-walled metal tube closed on one end and open to an environment outside the compressed air tank on the other end. The joining of the corrosion fuse with the compressed air tank is enabled by the connection of a plug with a fitting (i.e., flange). The plug connects to the open end of the corrosion detector and with the flange. The flange is connected to the compressed air tank about a tank receiver disposed on the compressed air tank. The tank receiver allows the corrosion detector, connected with the plug, to at least partially extend inside the compressed air tank, when the plug is connected with the flange.

Abstract: A device and a method are disclosed for testing a curved panel assembly, which simulates a segment of an aircraft fuselage barrel section, subjected to combined loading. The device includes an axial load head assembly attached to the test panel assembly via one axial load fitting and configured to apply an axial load to the test panel assembly, and an axial-torsion reaction box connected to the axial load head assembly via linear journal bearing assemblies, where the axial-torsion reaction box is configured to be rotated by a pair of torsional loading systems to apply a torsional load to the test panel assembly.

Abstract: A measuring body is provided in a fluid path between a pump and a fuel injection valve, a flow amount for which is measured. An inner space of the measuring body is divided into a first and a second fluid chambers by a partitioning wall, wherein the first and second fluid chambers are, respectively, operatively connected to the pump and the fuel injection valve. A movable member (float) is slidably inserted into a through-hole formed in the partitioning wall, so that both ends are respectively exposed to the first and second fluid chambers. When the fuel injection is carried out by the fuel injection valve, the fluid in the second fluid chamber is decreased corresponding to the amount of injected fluid, and thereby the float is moved in a direction from the first to the second fluid chamber. The amount of the injected fluid is measured by detecting the movement of the float.

Abstract: A system for determining airspeed of an air vehicle is described which includes and airflow sensor and a processor. The airflow sensor is located within an airflow path extending substantially through the air vehicle, and the processor is configured to receive a signal relating to an airflow rate from the airflow sensor and output an airspeed based on the received signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a low mass and size thermal focusing device for a gas phase analytical device. The device has two or more plates bonded together. The device also has at least one channel with an entrance and exit is formed within allowing ingress and egress of a gas stream. The device also has a temperature reduction module in thermal contact with at least one plate of the device. Thermal focusing devices with additional plates and/or channels are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a test gas to a gas monitoring instrument having a window for admitting gas to a gas sensor therein, is formed from a mechanical adaptor open at a portion thereof and having walls constructed and arranged such that the mechanical adaptor removably fits over the window to form a substantially gas tight chamber of predefined volume defined by the walls of the mechanical adaptor and the instrument, means disposed in the mechanical adaptor for receiving a vial of test gas and breaking a seal in the vial to admit the test gas to the chamber. The invention is also directed to a kit including the vial of test gas, and a method for testing a gas detection instrument utilizing the apparatus and a vial of test gas.

Abstract: A liquid-ejection testing method includes the following steps (A) to (D): (A) A step of making at least two conductive detection members be opposed, in a non-contact state, to a plurality of liquid ejecting nozzles that are to be tested, the detection members being opposed in a direction that intersects with a direction in which the plurality of liquid ejecting nozzles are arranged, each detection member corresponding to a different liquid ejecting nozzle. (B) A step of ejecting a charged liquid from each of the plurality of liquid ejecting nozzles. (C) A step of detecting an induced current generated at each of the detection members by the liquid that has been ejected from each of the liquid ejecting nozzles (D) A step of judging whether or not ejection of the liquid is being properly performed for each of the plurality of liquid ejecting nozzles, based on a magnitude of the induced current that has been detected.

Abstract: An instrument and a method for making measurements that are coupled with the location at which a measurement is made. There is provided an instrument that is capable of making an analytical measurement, the instrument having an instrument locator capability. When the analytical measurement is made, the location is associated with the measurement and stored in memory.

Abstract: A stage assembly (220) that moves a work piece (200) about a first axis and along a first axis includes a first stage (238), a second stage (240) that retains the work piece (200), a second mover assembly (244), a measurement system, and an initialization system (1081A). The second mover assembly (244) moves the second stage (240) relative to the first stage (238) about the first axis. The measurement system (22) monitors the position of the second stage (240) about the first axis when the second stage (240) is positioned within a working range about the first axis. The initialization system (1081A) facilitates movement of the second stage (240) about the first axis when the second stage (240) is rotated about the first axis outside the working range. The second mover assembly (244) can include a mover (255) and a dampener (410) that reduces the transmission of vibration from the first stage (238) to the second stage (240).

Abstract: Actuating cylinder including a longitudinal cylinder body, a longitudinal cylinder rod traversing a front transverse wall of the cylinder body and a longitudinal means of operating the cylinder rod relative to the cylinder body, the cylinder body including a rear transverse wall situated at a distance from a rear end of the cylinder rod inside the body. The cylinder includes a sensor supported by a front end portion of the cylinder rod; longitudinally deformable linking means to delimit a longitudinal channel of variable length coupling the front end portion of the cylinder rod and the rear transverse wall of the cylinder body and emerging at the rear of this rear transverse wall; and at least one electric connecting wire which is connected to the sensor, which extends in the longitudinal channel and which emerges via the rear end of this longitudinal channel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing reduced friction in drive screw assemblies, including electromechanical actuator (EMA) assemblies. A drive screw assembly is disclosed that includes a drive shaft, a drive screw, and a screw head. A stationary guide collar having a guide bore and a support surface receives the screw head or a portion of the drive screw. The guide collar may be fixed in angular relation to the screw head. As the screw head moves on a linear path during rotation of an associated drive shaft, a supported surface slides in only linear motion with respect to the support surface of the guide collar and as a result friction forces due only to linear motion are generated. Rotational friction forces and associated efficiency and power losses are consequently reduced or eliminated in the drive screw assembly.

Abstract: An adjusting device for positioning a load comprises a spindle and a spindle nut which is arranged on the spindle. Either the spindle nut is supported in a gear housing so as to be rotatable and not axially displaceable and the spindle is axially adjustable by rotating the spindle nut for positioning the load, or the spindle is supported in the gear housing so as to be rotatable and not axially displaceable and the spindle nut is axially adjustable by rotating the spindle for positioning the load. The gear housing has blind holes on two oppositely located housing sides and the swivel bearing bushes are pressed into these blind holes for receiving swivel pins.

Abstract: A transmission having an electromechanical gear actuation system includes an input shaft, a counter shaft, and a plurality of gear sets that are adapted to be operatively engaged to and disengaged from their shafts. A plurality of synchronizers operatively engage and disengage the gear sets to and from the shafts. A shifter rail includes a plurality of shift forks that are each in operative engagement with at least one of the synchronizers. A motor assembly provides a first motive force to cause the shifter rail to selectively engage one shift fork and further adapted to provide a second motive force to operatively drive the shifter rail to cause the associated shift fork and synchronizer to engage and disengage the associated gear set to and from the associated shaft. A solenoid assembly controls when the motor assembly provides the first motive force and the second motive force.

Abstract: A dual clutch transmission for a motor vehicle having a synchronizer actuation interlock system includes two input shafts, a counter shaft, and a plurality of gear sets rotatively disposed on the shafts. The gear sets are adapted to be operatively engaged to and disengaged from their respective shafts. A plurality of synchronizers are disposed about the gear sets and the synchronizers are adapted to operatively engage and disengage the gear sets to and from their respective shafts. A plurality of hydraulically actuated shift actuators are each operatively connected to one of the plurality of synchronizers. Each shift actuator is adapted to cause its respective synchronizer to engage and disengage its respective gear sets to and from their respective shaft and further adapted to provide a hydraulic interlock that prevents an associated shift actuator on the same shaft from hydraulically actuating when the shift actuator is already engaged.

Abstract: Ball screw, having a spindle nut (2) which may be provided on a recirculating ball screw (1) and on the inner circumference of which turns (3) of ball grooves (4), helically wound around an axis, are provided in which balls (5) can roll, at least one return element (8), arranged on the outer circumference of the spindle nut (2) and provided with a return duct (9) for the balls (5), at its two ends connecting a start of a turn (3) to an end of a turn (3) in order to permit a continuous recirculation of the balls (5), the return element (8) between its two ends being supported on a support (15, 21), the return element (8) being resiliently supported by means of at least one spring element (14) on the support (15, 21).

Abstract: A linear motion device has: a linear motion body externally fitted onto a shaft and making a relative linear motion along the shaft; a plurality of balls retained in a rolling element groove formed in an inner surface of the linear motion body, and rolling between the rolling element groove and the shaft; separators interposed among the balls; and a circulating path formed in the linear motion body and for circulating the balls from one end side of the rolling element groove to the other end side thereof; wherein the linear motion device is charged with grease containing base oil which is 220-395 in worked penetration defined by JIS K2220 and 50-500 mm2/s in kinematic viscosity at 40° C.

Abstract: A managing structure, for an umbilical member for a work tool of a robot, capable of stabilizing the motion of the umbilical member during the operation of a wrist of the robot and making the work of modifying the system of the robot easier. The umbilical member is introduced into an opening formed at the back of a base of a forearm. The umbilical member extends through a hollow portion of a speed reducer and is drawn from a first opening formed on the side of a first wrist element. A cable for welding current and a tube for supplying shield gas, constituting the umbilical member, are directly connected to a welding torch rotatable about a third axis. A welding wire is guided and fed by a feed roller of a wire feeder and, then, is connected to the welding wire with the cable and the tube. The feed roller is driven by a motor contained within the first wrist element.

Abstract: An industrial robot having a first part and a second part that are arranged to be movable with respect to each other where at least one cable extends from the first part to the second part via an internal cavity. An excess of cable extends freely through the internal cavity from the first part to the second part. At least one cable is connected to at least one of the parts via a releasable contact point that is located inside the internal cavity.

Abstract: A cam follower plate used in a product processing line such as a pizza making assembly line. The cam follower plate includes a panel of synthetic resin having side grooves to engage rails of the assembly line, a forward located slot surrounded by a wall, the slot having a predefined geometry such that the slot wall is engaged by a cam roller to impart motion to the panel, and a rearward located row of holes for receiving a pin carrying connector to facilitate the connection of the driven panel to other elements of the assembly line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connecting rod assembly and method of manufacturing same. The method includes defining a small end of a connecting rod having a terminal end and defining a pin bore extending through the small end. A pair of channels is forged on opposite sides of the small end, such that each of the channels is substantially perpendicular to the pin bore. A bushing having a contact surface including at least partially annular grooves and opposed distal ends is subsequently formed and installed into the pin bore of the small end. Following installation of the bushing, the connecting rod is machined to reduce the width of the small end between each channel and the terminal end to where at least a portion of the grooves are disposed along the distal ends to reduce the need to deburr the area adjacent the pin bore.

Abstract: A cover for a bicycle crank having an axle mounting boss is provided. The cover includes first and second connected members and includes a space between the cover and the axle mounting boss.

Abstract: A bicycle crank axle assembly is mounted on a hanger part of a bicycle frame and includes first and second bearing housings, first and second bearings, a crank axle and a fixed member. The first and second bearing housings comprises first and second bearing retaining sections and first and second mounting sections, respectively. The first and second mounting sections are disposed in alignment with the first and second bearing retaining sections, respectively, and non-rotatably mounted on axial ends of the hanger part. The bearings are retained in the bearing retaining sections separately. The crank axle rotatably supported by the first and second bearings with a crank mounted on an end portion thereof, which presses the first and second bearings. The fixed member is disposed on the crank axle between the crank and the first bearing, and arranged to be selectively released from and fastened to the crank axle.

Abstract: A piston for an automatic transmission including a pair of mutually meshing gears such as counter drive and driven gears mounted on respective two parallel shafts, the piston including a bottom portion, and a cylindrical portion to be disposed radially outwardly of one of the mutually meshing gears, wherein the cylindrical portion has not only a cutout formed in a first circumferential part thereof for permitting mutual meshing engagement of the mutually meshing gears such that a point of the mutual meshing engagement is located within a circumference of the cylindrical portion, but also a through-hole formed in a second circumferential part thereof so that a speed sensor extends through the through-hole, for detecting the rotating speed of the above-indicated one gear disposed radially inwardly of the cylindrical portion. This arrangement of the cylindrical portion permits size reduction of the cutout, and assures sufficiently high degrees of strength and rigidity of the piston.

Abstract: This invention uses nanoparticle mixtures to broaden the range of economic materials, improve performance across this broader range, and thereby lower costs of hydride and other storage systems. Nanoparticles can have dramatically different mechanical, chemical, electrical, thermodynamic, and/or other properties than their parent (precursor) materials. Because of this fundamental characteristic, nanophase materials can greatly improve the range of possibilities of materials selection, performance, cost, and practicality for hydride storage systems, advancing the early commerciality of such systems for hydrogen fuel cells or other applications. Among such hydrogen storage improvements are cheaper and better-performing metals, alloys, and/or compounds; lower weight; and reduced storage volumes.

Abstract: A method for producing a high surface area iron material starting with a low surface area iron metal is disclosed. The iron material of the present invention has a surface area of at least about 200 m2/g, and is prepared via a method which comprises reacting a low surface area iron metal with oxygen and an organic acid. The high surface area iron material formed via this method is essentially free of contaminants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a hard metal batch by drying a wet slurry -3- which is produced by wet-milling the hard material and binder metal fractions desired in the finished batch to the desired grain size, using water as liquid phase. According to the invention, the wet slurry -3- is applied to a moving carrier belt -1- with a solids content of from 75% by weight to 95% by weight and in a layer thickness of from 0.2 mm to 2 mm. As it passes through a drying zone -4-, the wet slurry -3- is heated, over the course of in total from 1 minute to 7 minutes, to a maximum temperature in the range from more than 100° C. to 150° C. The time which it takes for the wet slurry -3- to be heated to more than 100° C. is in a range from 15 seconds to 2 minutes. The hard metal batch which has been dried in this manner is then cooled to room temperature and if necessary comminuted.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a punch, which includes the steps of injection-molding a jig with melted materials so that a lower plate and an upper plate are integrally formed at least partially to connect cutting holes to be formed in the lower and upper plates and also so that a convex embossment is formed on the lower plate; cutting a connection portion of the lower and upper plates to form a gap in which a sheet member is to be supplied so that the cutting holes are separated between the lower and upper plates, the cutting work being conducted so that an upper surface of the lower plate is formed to have a height greater than an upper surface of the formed convex embossment; and assembling a punching member, which includes at least one first punch pin passing through the cutting holes to punch the sheet member and form a predetermined pattern therein and a second punch pin having a concave embossment at a front end thereof in correspondence to the convex embossment, to the jig.

Abstract: An implement for removing the cap of a container, having a top wall and a side wall provided with a peripheral edge, generally consisting of a body having a first surface engageable with an edge portion of the cap and a second surface engageable with a portion of the top wall of the cap, when the edge portion of the cap is engaged by the first surface of the body, permitting the body to be pivoted away from the container, utilizing the second surface of the body as a fulcrum, causing the lid to be pried off of the container; a counter supported on the body; and an element engageable by the cap when the cap engages the surfaces of the body and the body is pivoted relative to the container to pry the cap from the container, for actuating the counter to index a counting mechanism thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a tool for holding a fastener, such as a nail, screw, bolt or the like. The tool includes a handle attached to a mounting head that is specifically shaped to correspond with the shape of a fastener. Between the mounting head and the handle can be a bend that facilitates proper grasping of the handle by the hand of a user of the tool. The mounting head includes an engaging location defined by at least one locating guide. The engaging location can be an aperture or gap that substantially conforms to the shape of the fastener. The tool also includes at least one magnet to removably hold the fastener in the aperture. The tool can include a sleeve that can act as a grip, or protect the hand of a user from vibrational and electrical energy during use of the tool.

Abstract: A bit for removing a broken fastener comprises a tip from which extend two or more notches separated by traction or biting surfaces formed from two-sided frusto-conically-shaped regions. The surfaces are bounded on one side by a nonlinear cutting edge and on the other side by a non-cutting edge and are configured to cut into the fastener when the bit is rotated in a direction opposite to the fastener's direction of engagement. Specific embodiments include configurations where the cutting edges extend at different angles with respect to the bit axis, where the biting surfaces comprise a plurality of serrations, and where the cutting edges are separated by flutes which spiral along a longitudinally extending periphery of the bit.

Abstract: A fastener impact driver device 10 includes a fastener engagement member 12 having a plurality of projections 14 disposed about a lower portion 16 that engages a corresponding peripheral portion 18 of a fastener 20. The device 10 further includes a positioning member 22 having an upper portion 24 that ultimately receives a force thereupon, and a lower portion 26 that engages a cooperating upper portion 28 of the fastener engagement member 12 whereby a force such a hammer strike is imparted upon the upper portion 24 of the positioning member 22 to drive the projections 14 of the fastener engagement member 12 into the head 44 of the fastener 20 without damage of the fastener engagement member 12, whereupon the positioning member 22 is removed from the fastener engagement member 12 and a hand tool is removably secured to the fastener engagement member 12 to impart rotary motion to the member 12 and the fastener 20 thereby removing the fastener 20 from or urging the fastener 20 into a workpiece.

Abstract: Tightening or loosening a threaded connector is performed by providing a tool with first and second tool parts, the second tool part being arranged coaxially around an outside circumference of the first tool part, engaging with a thread of a bolt a nut member provided with a plurality of screw members coaxial with the tool parts and screwable in the nut member and having gear-shaped portions jointly defining an inner gear ring and an outer gear ring, providing first connecting means for connecting the first tool part with the inner gear ring of the gear-shaped portions, providing second connecting means for connecting the second tool part with said outer gear ring of said gear shaped portions, with said first and second tool parts being arranged so as to provide equal and opposite turning forces, and operating the tool so that the first tool part applies a turning force in one direction to turn the gear-shaped portions of the screw members in a given turning direction while the second tool part applies a turn